3 Congolese, Zambian get 25 years for human trafficking

The Mongu High Court has sentenced three Congolese and a Zambian to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour for human trafficking.

Meanwhile, 33 people have been arrested countrywide by the Immigration Department for various immigration offences.

According to a statement issued by the Department of Immigration Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka, Monday, the four were arrested in February last year for trafficking five females and nine male Congolese juveniles.

“The Mongu High Court has sentenced three Congolese and one Zambian to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour for the offence of human trafficking. Nicole Nyassa, Ikyengelo Abwe Samuel, Hussein Zulu, all Congolese nationals and Justine Mutafela, a Zambian, were on February 18, 2017 arrested in Sesheke for trafficking five female and nine male Congolese juveniles. The four were on January 24, 2018 convicted for human trafficking by the Sesheke Magistrate Court and committed to the High Court for sentencing,” Nshinka stated.

Meanwhile, Nshinka disclosed that the Immigration Department had between Friday and Sunday, arrested 33 people countrywide for various immigration offences.

“Meanwhile, the Department of Immigration between Friday, April 13, 2018 and Sunday, April 15, 2018 arrested thirty 33 persons for various immigration offences countrywide. Those arrested are four Ugandans and one Somali in Lusaka, five Congolese in Kaputa, four Congolese in Chingola and two Tanzanians and one Namibian in Kaoma, all for the offence of unlawful entry. Others are; one Malawian in Chipata, one Tanzanian in Mbala, one Namibian in Senanga and one Malawian in Mpika. Those arrested for unlawful stay are one Congolese at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport and one Tanzanian in Mpika. Meanwhile, in Kitwe, 10 Tanzanians were arrested for trading without permits,” he stated.

Nshinka stated that during that period, the department also secured seven convictions.

“During this period the Department also secured seven convictions. The convicts received fines ranging from K700 to K15, 000 or in default 6 months to 12 months simple imprisonment. Those convicted are one Congolese in Chingola and one Malawian in Lundazi, both for the offence of unlawful entry, two Rwandese in Kafue and two Congolese in Kitwe, for the offence of unlawful stay. One South African in Kitwe was also convicted for the offence of offence of failing to observe conditions of an Employment Permit,” he stated.

Nshinka stated that between Friday and Sunday the department also removed 22 foreign nationals from the country and deported one.

“The Department of Immigration between Friday, April 13, 2018 and Sunday, April 15, 2018 also removed twenty 22 foreign nationals from the country and deported one. Those removed are six Congolese in Kazembe, four Congolese in Kasumbalesa, three Congolese and one Burundian in Katete. Others are three Congolese in Chipata, three Congolese in Chingola, one Tanzanian in Ndola and one Congolese in Kashiba. Meanwhile, in Kabwe, one Somali was deported upon completion of prison sentence for an immigration offence,” he stated.

Nshinka appealed to parents and guardians to monitor their children’s activities saying they were easy targets in human trafficking.

“Traffickers are constantly coming up with new ways to lure their victims. They prey on desperation, curiosity and naivety and as such, children are an easy target. In this regard, we wish to appeal to parents and guardians to monitor their children’s activities, who they are talking to, applications on their phones and websites they visit. We also wish to appeal to members of the public to continue reporting suspected cases of human trafficking, smuggling and illegal migration to the Department,” stated Nshinka.

Zondiwe is a vibrant young Zambian journalist who has interest in writing political and current affairs on issues which affect every Zambians. She draws inspiration from journalists who stand for what is right and are not afraid to tell and show the truth to the people.
Email: zondiwe [at] diggers [dot] news